The NHSRA event is the largest rodeo in the world, drawing qualifiers from 40 states, five Canadian providences and Australia. In Gillette, the young cowboys and cowgirls compete for more than $125,000 in prizes, college scholarships and the opportunity to reach the pinnacle of prep rodeo success -- being named the high school national champion.

The championships will be nationally broadcast on the Outdoor Life cable network.

On to Gillette

Because Payson High School does not field a school-sponsored rodeo team, for Barkley to represent the Rim country in the national finals, he'll need to pay all of his traveling expenses, housing and entry fees. Those could be in excess of $2,000 for the seven-day rodeo.

He is ear-marking the money he's earning from a summer construction job for the trip.

"He'll use that for the trip," his mom said. "But the family needs more (financial) help."

Donations to help the young cowboy travel to Gillette can be made at Bank One where a special benefit account has been set up in Barkley's name.